Bearing



Oct. 15, 1940. M KATCHER 2,217,801

BEARING Filed April 15, 1940 Willi/711717 M I Fi '4.

44 AW? /6?/6 I F V) 34 5; T \J) llllllH mun) INVENTOR orris ATTORNEYPatented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to bearings both ball and roller includingannular and thrust bearings. It has as an object the provision of areservoir, the lubricant within which is substantially protected fromthe atmosphere to prevent its deterioration, only enough lubricant atany time being discharged into the space between the race rings foreflicient lubrication, the discharge being through passages of smallcross section. Capillary passages may be used. The reservoir is situatedin one of the race rings, or is at least closed on some of its sides byone of the race rings, the other side or sides being closed by a sheetmetal shell. It can be said in other words that the reservoir is formedin one race ring or that a part of one race ring is cut away or omittedto provide space for the reservoir. Feed passages lead from thereservoir through said race ring and discharge lubricant preferably intoone of the ball grooves. The feed passages enter the ball grooves overto one side of the latter to avoid pressure of the balls on the ends ofthe passages. In addition to the feed passages, the reservoirs areconnected to 5 atmosphere by small vent passages which permit theentrance of air into the reservoirs as the grease leavesit. As thebearing heats with use lubricant is forced through the feed passages tothe balls or rollers as the case may be.

30 In certain modifications shown-{centrifugal force helps to force outlubricant from the feed passages.

In some forms of my bearing the reservoir is in one of the race ringswith the lubricant 85 sealed substantially out of contact with theatmosphere while the space between the race rings may be exposed to theair. In prior art bearings where the reservoir is in reality anextension of the space between the race rings, in 40 order to seal offthe lubricant in the reservoir,

it is necessary at the same time to have a special housing to seal ofithe space between the race rings from the atmosphere.

This application is a continuation in part of 45 my application SerialNo. 300,913, which latter shows a modification of the bearing.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon further study ofthe description and drawing, in which: 50 Fig. 1 is a section throughonetype of an annular ball bearing. i

Fig. 2 is a partial section through a second type of annular ballbearing.

Fig. 3 is a partial section through a third.

Fig. 4 is a partial section through a thrust bearing.

Fig. 5 is a partial section through another type of thrust bearing.

Fig. 6' is a partial section through still an- 5 other type of thrustbearing.

Fig. 7 is a partial section taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a partial section through a tapered roller bearing, and 10Fig. 9 is a partial section through a cylindrical roller bearing.

The balls III, in the bearing of Fig. 1 are mounted between outer racering 0 and inner race ring H2 each ring being provided with the 15 usualball groove. Retainer ring H4 maintains balls I, as is well known in theart, in spaced relation around the bearing between race rings 0 and H2.Inner race ring 2 is provided with space I I5, serving as a reservoirwhich is 20 filled with lubricant preferably having a certain amount ofstifiness at ordinary temperatures, such as heavy grease. The inner wallof reservoir 5 is provided by sheet metal shell H6 which is held ininner race ring H2 with a forced fit. As is well known to the art, shell5 could also be retained in inner race ring H2 by being peened over atits edges. When a wheel is mounted on outer race ring 0, and inner racering H2 is mounted on a shaft or .other support, a radial pressureinward on the wheel or a radial pressure outward on the shaft will causeballs III to bear against inner race ring H2 between its outer ribs Ill. This would subject the portion of inner race ring 2 between saidribs to bending and shear stresses were it not for strut rib H8whichtransmits alarge part of the pressure directly between balls Illand shell 6. A connecting passage H9 is provided across rib M8 toconnect the parts of reservoir H5 separated by rib H8. Also smallpassages or vents l2| are provided through outer ribs Ill connectingreservoir 5 with atmosphere. Feed passages 20 connect' reservoir I 15with the ball groove in inner race 5 ring H2. Although passages 9, I20and l2l are only shown in the plane of the section, it is to beunderstood that other similar passages, as in Fig. '7 are to be used inspaced relation circumferentially around race ring H2.

It is believed the action is as follows:

As race rings 0 and H2 rotate with respect; to each other and balls if,the grease or other stiff lubricant in reservoir 5 becomes heated,expanding and entering the ball ring I24 likewise has two ball grooves.

through passages I20.

groove in inner race ring H2. Preferably a less number of passages orvents I2I are provided around race ring H2 than feed passages I20, andthe latter are preferably of larger bore so that the grease enters theball groove through passages I20 more readily than out vents I2I. In thecase where outer race ring H0 is fixed and inner race ring I I2 rotates,centrifugal force helps to send the grease out from reservoir H5 Uponcooling, the grease contracts and air is sucked in from the outsidethrough vents I2I. The next time the bearing goes into action and itstemperature is raised, the air bubbles previously sucked in expand andforce a certain amount of grease into the race, assisted by centrifugalforce as noted above if race ring H2 does the rotating. This actioncontinues with the alternate heating and cooling of the bearing as itgoes into and out of action. Provision could be made for a greasefitting to replenish the lubricant if necessary. With the properproportioning, however of reservoir H5 and its passages, the lubricantshould last during the life of the hearing.

The bearing of Fig. 2 is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that theformer has a double row of balls. The outer race ring I22 has two ballgrooves for receiving the double row of balls I23. Inner race Retainerrings I25 maintain the balls in spaced relation. Because of the doublerow of balls, there are two strut ribs, rib I26 and rib I21 acrossreservoir I30, one rib radially inward from each row of balls toreinforce the portion of inner race ring I II between its outer ribsI28. The inner wall of reservoir I30 is provided by sheet metal shellI29 which is in a tight fit with the inside of race ring I24. Rib I26 isprovided with a connecting passage I 96 joining the portions ofreservoir I30 on either side of it. A similar passage could be providedacross rib I21, but instead an arched opening I3I is shown as analternative construction. While only the arch opening at the section isshown, it is understood that there are a succession of such archesaround rib I21. The arch opening I3I permits the lubricant to passbetween the portions of reservoir I 30 on either side of it and rib I21strengthens the portions of ring I24 between rib I26 and rib I28. Ventpassages I33 are provided through outer ribs I28. Feed passages I32 leadfrom reservoir portions I30 to the ball grooves of race ring I24. It isto be understood that other similar passages to those shown are to beused in spaced relation around race ring I24. As is the case in Fig. 1,preferably a less number of vents or passages I33 are provided aroundrace ring I24 than the other passages and the latter are preferably oflarger bore.

The action of the bearing of Fig. 2 is similar to that described forFig. l, the lubricant entering the ball grooves in race ring I24 throughfeed passages I32. 1

The bearing of 3 differs from those just described in that the reservoiris carried in the outer portion of the outer race ring I34. Outer racering I34 is grooved to provide reservoir portions I35 and strut rib I36.The outer wall of reservoir I35 is provided by annular shell I31 whichhas a tight fit with outer race ring I34. The radially inward face ofrace ring I34 is provided with a ball groove for receiving balls I38.Retainer ring I42 holds the balls in spaced relation. Feed passages I39lead from reservoir portions I35 to the ball groove in race ring I 34for supplying lubricant to said groove. A passage I40 leads across strutrib I36. Vent passages I connect reservoir portions I35 with theatmosphere. All the passages are provided in spaced relation to eachother around race ring I34 and bear the general relationship to eachother as described for the passages of Fig. 1. Theaction of the bearingof Fig. 3 is in general similar to that of Fig. 1, except that theformer is more suitable where the outer race ring I34 is stationary andinner race ring I 5| does the rotating, otherwise centrifugal actionwill tend to force the grease out vent passages I4 I.

The bearing of Fig. 4 differs from those already described in that it isdesigned to take axial thrust while those already described take onlyradial thrust. A race ring I43 rotates about one end of race ring I44,there being clearance I45, provided between said rings. Between saidrings is a row of balls I46, each ring being provided with a curvedsurface which is the equivalent in function to a groove to receive theballs, a line joining the centers of the curved surfaces makingsubstantially an angle of 45 degrees with the longitudinal axis of thebearing. -Retaining ring I50 maintains balls I46 in spaced relation.Race ring I44 has a tight fit on inner shell I41. In bearings of thistype, the inner shell, such as shell I41, is fixed to a shaft I48, whilerace ring I 43 is free. The arrow indicates the direction of the thrust,either active or passive, balls I46 being com-' pressed between racering I43 and race ring I44,

the latter beingbacked up by shoulder I49 on shaft I48. No thrust rib isused here because the thrust from balls I46 passes directly through theradially extending portion of race ring I44. The latter race ring ishollowed out to provide a reservoir I52, the inner wall of which isprovided by shell I41. From reservoir I52, feed passages, one of whichis shown at I53, lead to the curved portion of race ring I44 whichserves as a ball groove. Vent passages, one of which is shown at I54lead from reservoir I52 through outer rib I55 of race ring I44.

The bearing of Fig. 5 is also a thrust bearing. In this type free racering I56 is entirely to one side of race ring I51 which is fixed toshaft I58. Race rings I56 and I 51 are provided with oppositely disposedball grooves in which balls I 58 ride. Retainer ring I60 keeps balls I59in spaced relation. Race ring I51 is provided with space I6I whichserves as a lubricant reservoir. Space or reservoir I6I is closed bywasher I62 which is held in position on race ring I5 1 by the peeningover of the ends of outer rib I63 and inner rib I64. An inner strut ribI65 acts as a strut for the thrust just as strut rib H8 of Fig. 1. Strutrib I65 divides reservoir I6I in two passages, one of which is shown atI66, connecting the two parts of the reservoir. Vent passages connectreservoir I 6| with the atmosphere at shaft I58, one such passage beingshown composed of a radial branch I 61 and an axial branch I68. Feedpassages I69 connect reservoir I 6I with the ball groove in race ringI51.

The bearing of Fig. 6 is also a thrust bearing.

' As in Fig. 5, free race ring I10 is entirely to one retainer ring I14in Fig. '7. Race ring I" is provided with space I16 which serves as alubricant reservoir. Space or reservoir I18 is closed by shell I11 whichfits tightly in race ring I1I. Feed passages, one of which is shown atI18, connect reservoir I18 with the ball groove in race ring "I. Ventpassages, one of which is shown at I 19, connect reservoir I16 with theatmosphere.

The bearing of Fig. 8 is a tapered roller bearing, one of the rollersbeing shown at I88. Outer race ring I8I and inner race ring I82 areprovided with oppositely disposed grooves for rollers I88 to roll in.'Retainer ring I88 holds rollers I88 in spaced relation. Inner race ringI82 has shell I83 fixed in it. A lubricant reservoir I84 is provided inring I82, the inner wall of the reservoir'being shell I83. Feed passagesI85 lead from reservoir I84 to the groove under rollers I88 in ring I82.Vent passages, one of which is shown at I88 connect reservoir I16 withthe atmosphere.

The bearing of Fig. 9 is also a roller bearing, the rollers, one ofwhich is shown at I81, being cylindrical. Outer race rings I89 and innerrace ring I98 are provided with oppositely disposed grooves for rollersI81 to roll in. Retainer ring I92 holds rollers I81 in spaced relation.Inner race ring I98 has shell I9I fixed in it. A lubricant reservoir I93is provided in ring I98, the inner wall of the reservoir being shellI9I. Feed passages I94 lead from reservoir I93 to the groove underrollers I81 in ring I98. Vent passages, one of which is shown at I95,connect reservoir I93 with the atmosphere.

The feed passages and vent passages of Figs. 1-9 occur in spacedrelation circumferentially around that race ring in each figure which isprovided with the reservoir. Said passages bear the relation to eachother in number and size as described for Fig. 1. The feeding of thelubricant in said figures from the reservoir to the ball or rollergroove is also similar to that explained for Fig. 1.

In its broadest sense the sheet metal shell can be considered as part ofthe race ring to which it is fixed, so that the reservoir is entirely insaid ring with the grease sealed therein except for the passages leadingfrom the reservoir. For example, in Fig. 1, ring II2 with shell II6really constitute the inner race ring which has a reservoir I I entirelywithin it, the grease being sealed in the race ring except for passagesI28 and I2I.

I claim:

l. A bearing comprising a pair of race rings. and members adapted toroll between said race rings impontact with each race ring, a lubricantreservoirbeing formed in one race ring at a place away from saidmembers, at least two passages being provided in the latter race ring,one leading from the reservoir to the space between the rings andserving as a feed passage and the other leading from the reservoir toatmosphere serving as a vent.

2. A bearing comprising a pair of race rings, and members adapted toroll between said race rings in contact with each race ring, a lubricantreservoir being formed in one race ring at a place away from saidmembers, a plurality of feed passages of relatively small crosssectionleading from the reservoir to the space between the rings and aplurality of vent passages of relatively small cross section leadingfrom the reservoir to the atmosphere.

3. A thrust bearing comprising a pair of race rings, members formed forrolling between the race rings in contact with eachring, said membersrolling in runways formed in each ring, said runways being axiallyspaced from each other, space for a lubricant reservoir being providedin one race ring at a side away from its runway, said latter space beingenclosed by the latter race ring except at the side of the space awayfrom the runway and a thin walled radially extending annular shellattached to said latter race ring closing off the latter space at saidlatter side, at lease one feed passage being provided through the latterrace ring, said passage leading from the reservoir to the runway in saidlatter ring.

4.. A bearing comprising a pair of race rings, members adapted to rollbetween said race rings in contact with each race ring, one of saidrings being hollowed out to form an annular groove at a place away fromits place of contact with said members, and an annular thin walled shellfixed to said latter ring at the groove to enclose the space provided bysaid groove, forming a lubricant reservoir thereby, said latter ringbeing provided with at least one feed passage through it leading fromthe reservoir to the space between the race rings.

5. A bearing as claimed in claim 1 in which the vent passage reaches theatmosphere at a location radially inward from the feed passage.

6. A hearing comprising a pair of race rings, members adapted to rollbetween said race rings in contact with each race ring, space for alubricant reservoir being provided in one race ring at a place away fromsaid members, said space being only partially enclosed by said latterring, and a thin walled annular shell attached to said latter ringclosing ofi' said space where not enclosed by said latter ring, saidlatter ring being provided with at least one feed passage through itleading from the reservoir to the space between the race rings.-

7. A bearing comprising an outer race ring and an inner race ring, thelatter being located radially inward from the former, members formed forrolling extending between the race rings, holding said rings in radiallyspaced relation, space for a lubricant reservoir being provided in onerace ring at its side radially away from said members, said latter spacebeing enclosed by said latter race ring except at the side of the spaceaway from said members, and a thin walled substantially cylindricalshell in a tight fit with said latter race ring closing 011 the latterspace at said latter side, said latter ring being provided with at leastone feed passage through it leading from the reservoir to the spacebetween the race rings.

8. A bearing comprising an outer race ring and an inner race ring, thelatter being located radially inward from the former, members formed forrolling extending between the race rings, holding said rings in radiallyspaced relation, space for a lubricant reservoir being provided in theradially inward race ring at its side radially inward from said members,said latter space being enclosed by the latter race ring except at itsradially inward side, and a thin walled substantially cylindrical shellfitting tightly inside the inner race ring closing off said latter spaceat its radially inward side, said latter ring being provided with atleast one feed passage through it leading from the reservoir to thespace between the race rings.

9. A bearing comprising an outer race ring and an inner race ring,thelatter being locatedradially inward from the former, members formed forrolling extending between the race rings, holding said rings in radiallyspaced relation, space for 75,

a lubricant reservoir being provided in the radially outward race ringat its side radially outward from said members, said latter space beingenclosed by the latter race ring except at its radially outward side,and a thin walled substantially cylindrical shell fitting tightly overthe ,outer race ring closing ofi said latter space at its radiallyoutward side, said latter ring being provided with at least one feedpassage through it leading from the reservoir to the space between therace rings.

10. A bearing comprising an outer race ring and an inner race ring, thelatter being located

